Lark Distilling Co has announced the appointment of Stuart Gregor as a Non-Executive Director, effective tomorrow, as Laura McBain departs the Lark Board.
Gregor brings more than 30 years of drinks industry experience to Lark, having co-founded Four Pillars Gin and acted as the businesses Global Trade Director from 2013 to 2023, among many other esteemed positions.
Gregor said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Lark at a really exciting time for the business. The Board and the executive are absolutely top class and I’ve known and loved this brand for close to two decades and have admired Bill and Lyn and the whiskies for many years. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
Lark Chairman Domenic Panaccio also commented: “We are pleased to welcome Stuart to the Lark board at a time the company positions itself for its next phase of growth. Stuart’s deep and long industry experience working with many of the world’s most successful drinks businesses will be invaluable to Lark as we focus on building long term brand value in all markets, generating international sales momentum and building upon our domestic leadership position.
“I would also like to thank Laura for the support she has provided me as Chairman and her contribution to the business, both as a non-executive and as an executive. Laura has always displayed high levels of commitment, dedication and commercial acumen and we all wish her well with her future endeavours.”
Lark CEO Satya Sharma, who was appointed in May 2023, said: “Stuart Gregor is a true contemporary in the Australian distilling and marketing industries and we are delighted to welcome him to the Lark Board during a pivotal and exciting next chapter of growth for the business both domestically and internationally.”
Sharma said he is particularly excited to work with Gregor as the team re-stages the Lark brand, hoping to make it a global whisky icon while realising ambition of being a leader in new world whisky.
“Stu and the team at Four Pillars should be commended for putting Australian gin on the global stage. We are privileged to be able to lean on his experience, passion and vision in his new role as Lark Non-Executive Director,” he added.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Laura McBain for her time and dedication over the last four years as both a Board Member and interim Managing Director; and wish her all the best on her future endeavours.”
After a four year stint with Lark, first joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director in 2020 and serving as the interim Managing Director from February 2022 to May 2023, before transitioning back to a Non-Executive Director role in May 2023, McBain will exit the business tomorrow.
McBain said: “It has been a privilege to serve as both a Non-Executive Director and the Chief Executive at Lark. Whilst we have had success in growing the Lark brand domestically and the whisky bank, the Board and the Lark team are focused on the next phase of growing the brand and distribution of Lark internationally. I am confident that the company has the right strategy and team in place to successfully execute upon this strategy.”
